Pilot project purgatory? Assessing automated vehicle pilot projects in U.S. cities

Abstract Pilot projects have emerged in cities globally as a way to experiment with the utilization of suite smart mobility and emerging transportation technologies. Automated vehicles (AVs) become central tools for such city governments industry explore use impact this technology. This paper presents large-scale assessment AV pilot U.S. understand how are being used examine risks benefits AVs, integrate these potentially transformative technologies into conventional policy planning, what they learning about technology its future opportunities risks. Through interviews planning practitioners document analysis, we demonstrate that approaches take AVs differ significantly, often lack coherent goals. Key findings from research include: (1) disconnect between goals city’s goals; (2) generally long-term vision fit systems might help address (3) an overemphasis non-transportation pilots projects; (4) exhibit iteration; (5) not leveraging public benefits. Overall, urban planners decision makers show clear interest discover can be challenges their communities, but our shows while purport do this, having numerous outcomes, limited value informing questions around AVs. We also find projects, presently structured, may constrain planners’ ability re-think within context rapid technological change.